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Triple treat at W-League Awards

Canberra United has won three awards at the annual Westfield W-League presentation held in Sydney today. Ray Junna and Ellyse Perry were among the individuals honoured, whilst the team also gained an accolade.

Canberra United has won three awards at the annual Westfield W-League presentation held in Sydney today. Ray Junna and Ellyse Perry were among the individuals honoured, whilst the team also gained an accolade.

Canberra United is delighted to announce that Ray Junna has been named joint ‘Coach of the Year- and Ellyse Perry has been jointly awarded the ‘Young Player of the Year- trophy, whilst the team has been honoured, along with Sydney FC, with the ‘Fair Play Award-.

Junna collected the award as the best coach in the Westfield W-League for 2009, along with Stephen Roche of the Central Coast Mariners, as the judging panel failed to separate the achievements of the pair.

The panel also couldn-t separate the claims of Ellyse Perry, and Brisbane Roar-s Elise Kellond-Knight, who tied for the ‘Young Player of the Year- award. And, in an amazing first, the club also tied for the ‘Fair Play Award- with league champions, Sydney FC.

Award winner Ellyse Perry was ecstatic to have claimed the Young Player of the Year award in conjunction with Elise Kellond-Knight.

“I am extremely humbled to have won this award and I certainly wasn-t expecting it,” a happy Perry said.

“It-s been fantastic to be involved in a team like Canberra and it-s been an enjoyable experience. As I said, this was certainly unexpected, but it stems from the incredible support I have received from everyone at Canberra.”

“All I need now is a win next weekend and then one again in a fortnight [in the Grand Final].”

Central Coast Mariners goal-machine Michelle Heyman took out the top award, claiming the Julie Dolan Medal for the ‘Player of the Year- along with the ‘Golden Boot- for her 11 goals during the competition, whilst young tyro Sam Kerr of Perth Glory claimed the ‘Player-s Player of the Year- accolade.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, FFA CEO Ben Buckley was pleased with the second season of the women-s national league.

“The Westfield W-League has continued this season to showcase the fine footballing talents of some of our most exciting female athletes," Buckley said.

"This season has seen the Westfield W-League build on its place in the Australian sporting culture and shows the potential for elite female competition in Australia to continue to develop at a professional level."

“We are very pleased with the second season of the Westfield W-League. It further cements the place of football for women and girls in the sporting landscape and gives talented female athletes a strong domestic competition,” he concluded.